Ataching Mushrooms?

jeffmperez · #1 01/10/2008, 02:25 PM

I have a very large bright red mushroom (4-5" diameter) that I've had since the beginning and was in the center of my diaplay. It somehow became unattached and fell in a hole in the rock close to where it used to sit a couple weeks ago. It still opens up quite a bit but you can hardly see it in the dang hole! I'm pretty sure that I can pull it out carefully, *crossing fingers*. But what is the safest way to reattach it w/o damaging it? Would super glue work on something like this?

I was hoping that it would somehow work it's way back up the rock to get more light. But that hasn't happened.

MrMikeB · #2 01/10/2008, 02:30 PM

No, superglue and shrooms (or any softies really) do not mix well. They will slime up on you and pop off in a coupe days at best.

I find the bridal veil trick seems to work the best. Loosely (and I do stress loosely) cover the shroom on a plug/rock with thin bridal veil. Use a rubber band at the base of the rock you are mounting it to keep the veil on. The shroom will float around in the bubble created by the veil covering the frag plug/rock and eventually attach itself. When it does, remove the veil and put the plug/frag wherever you like. This can sometimes take a week or so before it find its footing.

jeffmperez · #3 01/10/2008, 02:35 PM

Mike,

I am sorry...newbie here, what is a bridal veil?

jeffmperez · #4 01/10/2008, 02:39 PM

[IMG]Portland124[/IMG]

MrMikeB · #5 01/10/2008, 02:40 PM

Ever see that veil that brides wear over their face when they are getting married? Looks a bit like white screen material, and can be commonly found at Joannes Fabric rather inexpensive. The larger spaced material is ideal for providing flow, yet keep the shrooms from floating away and getting sucked up into a powerhead.

funman1 · #6 01/10/2008, 02:41 PM

Like what a bride would use as a veil..
It's not normally a reef related item

jeffmperez · #7 01/10/2008, 02:43 PM

Sorry, I knew what a bridal veil was...I just didn't know you ment a real" briadal veil!!!

I'm guessing that cheesecloth might work just as well?

I knew crazy glue would damage it somehow!

jeffmperez · #8 01/10/2008, 02:44 PM

Thanks Steve---- that is why I was a little confused!

MrMikeB · #9 01/10/2008, 02:48 PM

Glue wont damage it per se - just won't do what you want it to. I swear, if you ever get superglue on you and want to get it off without taking your skin off, just grab a shroom (or xenia), mush it up and rub it all over - the slime will take it off in no time.

(that was a joke, please do not rub polyps or softies of any kind over your skin

)

jeffmperez · #10 01/10/2008, 02:52 PM

Mike - I was gluing frags llast night so I have the fingers to prove it.

Darn - you sould of told me the xenia trick earlier.... J/K!

Justin74 · #11 01/10/2008, 06:22 PM

You may even have some material around the house that would classify as 'bridal veil' which is used loosely. The plastic netting used to hold your fruit from the store works great. Pretty much anything with a 'fish net' pattern.

-Justin

MandM · #12 01/10/2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeffmperez

I'm guessing that cheesecloth might work just as well?

Cheesecloth will probably block too much light, the netting works better. It comes in 6" wide rolls like ribbon and most craft stores. Look in the bridal section.

pbetito · #13 01/10/2008, 10:48 PM

I turn the mushroom upside down, wipe the foot off REAL dry and super glue that sucker to the rock. If the foot is dry it will stay there forever I have found. I used to glue lots of strays to the same rock. It looked real purty

jeffmperez · #14 01/11/2008, 01:20 AM

No kidding Paul! I thought for sure that would cause a problem. I think I might try the netting since I don't trust mysef with the crazy glue...

jeffmperez · #15 01/11/2008, 01:57 AM

Hey check it out! I got an Avatar not....That is the mushroom in question! It's simple things in life that excite me!

MrMikeB · #16 01/11/2008, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeffmperez
It's simple things in life that excite me!

You know, my girlfriend says the same thing. Good for me, eh?

Brian Prestwood · #17 01/11/2008, 10:47 AM

I second the fruit bag. For shrooms, I normally take half an empty clam shell, got more of those than I'm proud of, and put the shrooms in it. Then I put the clam shell inside an empty fruit bag. Finally, I twist the bag end, fold it under the shell and put a rubber band on the whole thing so it won't unwind.

I've never of heard getting shrooms to stay down with super glue but it makes sense if they still have a fairly firm foot.